Agniveers May Get To Marry During 2-Year Service Extension; Govt Considering Relaxation In Rules

Last Updated:November 05, 2026, 1:14 PM IST

The military leadership recognises that recruits, who join between the ages of 17.5 and 21, reach their mid-to-late twenties during an extended tenure.

The Cabinet has announced an optional two-year service extension for Agniveers who are not absorbed into the regular cadre after completing their initial four-year tenure. (Reuters File)

The Ministry of Defence is considering relaxing marriage restrictions for Agniveers during their proposed two-year service extension, top defence sources told CNN-News18. Under existing service rules, Agniveers are strictly prohibited from marrying during their initial four-year engagement period. The proposed relaxation is expected to address a major concern among families apprehensive about the scheme.

Sources told CNN-News18 that while the restriction on marriage will remain in place during the initial four years to maintain operational focus and discipline, military planners are evaluating family-related aspects for personnel serving beyond that period under the proposed two-year extension. The military leadership recognises that recruits, who join between the ages of 17.5 and 21, reach their mid-to-late twenties during an extended tenure.

The deliberations come at a time when an additional two years of service has been announced under the revised scheme for the 75 per cent of candidates who are not absorbed into the regular cadre. Defence planners believe addressing family-related concerns during the fifth and sixth years of service will help improve retention and morale.

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a major revision to the Agnipath recruitment scheme. It announced an optional two-year service extension for Agniveers who are not absorbed into the regular cadre after completing their initial four-year tenure. Announced by Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani, the policy shift provides a secondary pathway for non-retained personnel to continue serving for up to six years.

Recruits opting for the extended period will receive higher monthly remuneration, an enhanced Seva Nidhi package and cumulative seniority benefits. They will also remain eligible for permanent regularisation based on objective performance criteria at the end of their sixth year.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the additional tenure as a “Second Tour of Duty”, stating that the reforms stem from detailed military evaluations aimed at retaining trained personnel, preserving operational readiness and aligning individual aspirations with the requirements of the armed forces.

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What are the current marriage rules for Agniveers during their initial service?

Under existing service rules, Agniveers are strictly prohibited from marrying during their initial four-year engagement period to maintain operational focus and discipline.

Why is the government considering a relaxation in marriage restrictions for Agniveers?

The Ministry of Defence is considering relaxing marriage restrictions during the proposed two-year service extension to address major concerns among families, since recruits reach their mid-to-late twenties during an extended tenure.

Who announced the optional two-year service extension for Agniveers?

The optional two-year service extension, known as a “Second Tour of Duty,” was announced by Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani following Union Cabinet approval.

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About the Author

Akash Sharma

Akash Sharma, Defence Correspondent, CNN-News 18, covers the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways. In addition, he also follows developments in the national capital. With an extensive experien…Read More

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